3:45 Hexham
This Class 3 Cast Novices' Limited Handicap Steeple Chase over 2m4f15y at Hexham on good ground brings together a small but high-quality field of four. All bar one of the runners are stepping up in class, and the KTB Fit scores are tightly bunched at the top with Tiddesley Wood, Ballykinlar and Passing Diamond all rated in the low-to-mid 70s. The race features strong recent form from several contenders, with the KTB numbers highlighting positive trainer records at the track and favourable going profiles across the principals.
How the race shapes up
The pace shape points to a lone leader with medium confidence, suggesting one horse will secure an uncontested lead that could prove difficult for those racing from off the pace to reel in. Passing Diamond is the clear front-runner and should take up that role, while Passengerontheship is likely to race prominently in close attendance. Tiddesley Wood and Ballykinlar both tend to be held up and produce their efforts late, so the key question will be whether the leader can dictate terms or if the closers will be able to bridge the gap on this good ground.
The KTB Fit ranking
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1Tiddesley Wood KTB Selection75/100
Tiddesley Wood arrives with a KTB Fit score of 75 and is the selection. A high-class performer, he boasts a strong recent record that includes two wins and two places from his last four starts. He drops back in trip today having won at this distance previously, and his record on good ground reads positively with one win from three starts. Trainer Adrian Keatley boasts a 44% strike rate at Hexham from 16 runs with an A/E of 2.46, while Brian Hughes takes the ride; the pair combine with a 21/67 record (31%) and A/E of 1.28. Usually held up and producing his effort late, he steps up in class but looks well placed to capitalise on these conditions.
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2Ballykinlar73/100
Ballykinlar is rated with a KTB Fit of 73. He is a high-class performer who has shown strong form on good ground, recording two wins from five starts and three places overall. He steps up in trip today having last run over 2m, yet already has a win at this distance from five attempts. Trainer Mickey Bowen holds a 36% strike rate at Hexham from 11 runs with an A/E of 1.57, and James Bowen is in the saddle; together they show a 30/173 record (17%) and A/E of 0.77. Usually held up and producing his effort late, this represents his first appearance at the track.
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3Passing Diamond73/100
Passing Diamond also carries a KTB Fit of 73. A high-class performer, he has a strong recent record of four wins from his last five starts. He has already won twice at Hexham from just three runs and boasts a solid record on good ground with four wins from eight starts. Stepping up in trip today poses a fresh question but he has won at this distance before. Trainer Ben Haslam has a 17% strike rate at Hexham from 126 runs with an A/E of 1.16, while Richie McLernon rides with a 19% strike rate at the track from 116 rides and A/E of 1.28. He tends to make the running or race on the pace and steps up in class.
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4Passengerontheship58/100
Passengerontheship is rated with a KTB Fit of 58. A smart performer with a strong record here, he has won four of five starts at Hexham. He drops back to a trip he has won over three times from seven attempts and boasts a solid record on good ground with five wins from ten starts. First-time headgear is the main unknown as he steps up in class; he usually races handily, on or close to the lead.
KTB verdict
Tiddesley Wood stands out as the KTB Selection. His high-class ability, strong recent record of two wins and two places from four starts, and positive profile on good ground combine with a trainer who has an excellent 44% strike rate at Hexham. Usually held up, he will be looking to come from off the pace in a race where the uncontested lead may not be straightforward to maintain. Ballykinlar and Passing Diamond, both high-class performers in their own right with excellent recent form and solid Hexham trainer stats, represent the chief dangers, while Passengerontheship's course record cannot be ignored despite the lower Fit score.
KTB Selection Tiddesley Wood
This is the narrative read of the 3:45 Hexham. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Hexham racecard. Every result we hold for the track is on the Hexham results & records page. How favourites, trainers, jockeys and the draw have fared here over the last five years is on the Hexham racecourse statistics page. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse has won the most times at Hexham?
Passengerontheship has won four of five starts at Hexham, the most in the field.
Who is the only front-runner in the race?
Passing Diamond tends to make the running or race on the pace and matches the lone-leader pace shape.
What is the trainer with the highest strike rate at Hexham among those represented?
Adrian Keatley has a 44% strike rate at Hexham from 16 runs.
Which horse is wearing headgear for the first time?
Passengerontheship is fitted with first-time headgear.
How many of the four runners are stepping up in class?
Three of the four runners are stepping up in class: Tiddesley Wood, Passing Diamond and Passengerontheship.
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